Kenya is prioritising the implementation of climate-smart livestock systems to effectively tackle hunger and malnutrition among its growing population. The government is in the process of developing a comprehensive master plan aimed at making the livestock sector more resilient to climate change effects. This initiative seeks not only to enhance food security but also to expand and diversify revenue streams for pastoralists in semi-arid regions, which are particularly vulnerable to climate fluctuations.
Mutahi Kagwe, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, highlighted the significance of investing in climate-smart animal husbandry practices. These practices are designed to improve the livelihoods of subsistence farmers and herders, ultimately fostering sustainable agricultural practices that are better suited to the environmental challenges they face.
“The livestock sector is vital in generating income and fulfilling the dietary needs of millions of residents living in arid and semi-arid lands across Kenya. Hence, we are committed to making this sector climate-resilient,” Kagwe stated during his remarks in Nairobi. His comments were made at the launch of a transformative seven-year program by Heifer International, a globally recognised development organisation dedicated to revitalising various agricultural sectors, including poultry, dairy, red meat, and horticulture.
The program, named Practice for Change, is an ambitious $95.7 million initiative scheduled to run from 2025 to 2030. It aims to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of 625,000 smallholder farmers and herders across 25 counties. The project specifically addresses systemic challenges these farmers face, such as limited access to financing, market opportunities, and modern agricultural technologies necessary for improving productivity and sustainability.
Kagwe further emphasised the importance of the livestock sector, which contributes approximately 12 percent to Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP). This sector is instrumental in ensuring food security and is a significant source of foreign exchange earnings through livestock exports. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in rural development by providing livelihoods and economic opportunities for countless families in these areas, further underscoring the need for targeted climate adaptations within the livestock industry.
